Search by Name

Add a Memory

Send Flowers

Make a Donation

Share Obituary

About

Nicolet High School

FUNERAL HOME

Goodman-Bensman Funeral Home

4750 N. Santa Monica Blvd.

Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin

Harry Wasserman Obituary

Harry Wasserman

Milwaukee - Died on Dec. 30, 2020 at the age of 67. Son of the late Nathan and Jennie Wasserman. Dear brother of Rose Ann Wasserman (Daniel Feinstein) and Robert Wasserman (Pearl Lieberman). Loving uncle of Natalie Feinstein and Lulu Adams. Born and raised in Milw., Harry attended Nicolet High School and the University of WI-Madison. After college, Harry lived in New York City for a number of years before moving back to Milw.

Harry was a writer and film reviewer who over a long career wrote for a variety of newspapers and magazines, including publications in Madison, Milw., and NY. In retirement, Harry continued to write film reviews that he distributed to friends and family. Harry had an encyclopedic knowledge of movies. If you had a movie-related question, you didn't have to Google it - Harry would have the answer. He was rarely, if ever, stumped. Harry's humor, enthusiasm, creativity, and kindness will be greatly missed.

A private service was held. A celebration of Harry's life will be held by Zoom at a later time. In lieu of flowers, donations in Harry's memory to Jewish Family Services (1300 N. Jackson St, Milw., WI 53202) or to the charity of your choice appreciated.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Milwaukee Journal Sentinel from Jan. 8 to Jan. 10, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Harry Wasserman

Sponsored by Goodman-Bensman Funeral Home.

15 Entries

Debbie Zucker

January 2, 2022

It''s amazing how time passes, and yet Harry's energies are still vivid in my mind. I'm thinking about how the world today could use more soft-spoken, funny and kind men like Harry. His kindness is what sticks in my mind the most, and I know that deep quality will continue to reverberate.

Jeanne Traxler

April 18, 2021

Harry was my friend in grade school. I will never forget his translating Edgar Allen Poe's poem "The Raven" into French and the raven said "Viva La France!" instead of "Nevermore." He was a funny, sweet guy.
May good memories bring you comfort and blessing.

Dan Ruppa

March 7, 2021

Sad to hear, condolences to all. I too knew Harry from our earliest school years at Dunwood. Harry was always unique, intelligent, funny, and probably the first true artist I knew. As a fast talker Harry always won the `Who knows one ?" contest from the Haggadah on Passover. I recall we were in cub scouts together w/Dorothy Singer as scoutmaster; we weren´t great scouts but darned if we didn´t have fun. We did meet up at Nicolet´s 40th reunion. As I think back I can´t recall ever seeing Harry angered; always a nice person. Goodbye Harry.

Julie Brooks Noble

January 29, 2021

Kind sympathies to all of you on this sad, abrupt loss. Have been thinking of Harry all month. He was so much fun to work with on TakeOver and The Daily Cardinal. We would double over with laughter as his mind would kick up headlines, angles, and layout ideas which would later become hall-of-fame front pages. He was our beloved film professor, writing critic, house jester and loving friend.

Barb Beck

January 23, 2021

Harry was my roommate in Madison during the summer of 1973. He was quite a character and introduced me to a number of ppl who became long-time friends.

We lost touch after graduating, but I ran into someone in 2002 at The Blue Note innNYC who knew Craig Silver & Harry. Small world.

I was stunned to learn of his recent passing. My thoughts are with his family & friends.

Barb Beck

Enid Gruszka

January 19, 2021

Harry was a regular patron at the Milwaukee Public Library - East Branch. He was always such a kind man. The staff here are feeling terribly sad about this loss.

Brittany Maddente

January 13, 2021

Harry was one of our favorite clients at the Salon, he will be missed by all of us. Salon Nova Family

Seth Flagsberg

January 11, 2021

Seth Flagsberg

January 11, 2021

Seth Flagsberg

January 11, 2021

Harry was a very witty, funny guy. He will be missed.

Craig Silver

January 11, 2021

I have countless personal memories of Harry, stretching back to the first time we talked: he was the kid in class drawing pictures of Alfred E. Neuman, mascot of my favorite magazine, "Mad."

Here are a few things I want to point out about my incomparable friend:

Harry was not only a brilliant writer and editor on multiple subjects for multiple publications, he was also a nonpareil art director. All who worked with him were routinely dazzled by his innovative layouts and ingenious montages.

He was also a daring and original filmmaker. His Super 8 oeuvre includes "The Sonny Tufts Story" (a comedy), "Zabetca" (a western), "War May Not Be Great, But It´s A Living" (an antiwar parable), "Where´s Ben Masel?" (a documentary) and "Wheelchair" (a melodrama). He wrote, directed and starred in a video parody of TV soap operas ("Mary Wanna, Mary Wanna"). He also hosted one of the earliest public access cable TV shows in New York City.

On top of all that, Harry always beat the pants off of everybody in the traditional Seder challenge, "Who Knows Thirteen?" That´s a bit of a joke (though absolutely true), but Harry would approve: he had the blazingest wit around, always ready to deflate any knee-jerk assumption or silly pretension. But mostly, he simply wanted to make you laugh.

Harry was treasured by everyone who knew him.

Jordan and Ann Fox

January 11, 2021

Our deepest sympathies to your entire family, We were were so sorry to hear the sad news.

Phill Askot

January 10, 2021

I remember Harry from our high school days. One summer we made a movie together. It was a wonderful experience.
His humor and creativity will be missed.

William Hiller

January 10, 2021

I am so sorry to hear the news about Harry´s passing. We were friends in grade school (Dunwood). He was a MAD Magazine expert and brought a small collection to school in 5th grade. We made a radio tape in 7th grade for Mr. Robert´s class and went into the big city by bus to his favorite bookstore (Renaissance). I remember eating Oreo cookies at his house after the trip. I saw him again at one of the Class of 1971 reunions. He will always be remembered as a funny and witty ma.pn. I am sorry for your loss.

Debbie Zucker

January 9, 2021

I was so sorry to learn of Harry's death. What a kind person he was. I first met Harry when I was in second grade. He always had a very gentle and bemused quality to him, even as a boy. He was open, smart, funny and he paid attention. His prism was film, and he showed himself by sharing what he saw and appreciated in that realm. In addition to remembering Harry, I want to honor Rose Ann's thoughtful support of her brother through the years. Surely Jenny and Nate Wasserman would be proud of all three of their adult children's caring relationships.

Showing 1 - 15 of 15 results